The Best Binoculars for Bird-Watching!

by Dinesh Taylor ·
Published February 6, 2019
· Updated February 6, 2019

Binoculars are the most essential tools for bird-watching. If you are a bird lover, and you would want to go for birding or bird-watching, you always need to carry the right pair of binoculars. They will help you to see the birds that are far away or hidden somewhere, and will also let you identify some lesser known species that you would generally not to be able to do with naked eyes.

But, getting the right pair of binoculars is not an easy task. If you search on the internet about the binoculars for bird-watching, you would get so much information that it might be a little overwhelming for you to comprehend. Hence, we have made this crisp and compact list of some of the best binoculars for bird-watching. You can choose one that fits your budget and your need!

But before that, let us first consider some of the factors which are needed to choose the right pair of binoculars!

When you buy binoculars, you will notice that there are two numbers given, such as 10×25. The 10 here means the magnification number and 25 is the diameter of the lens used. Try and choose a pair with comparatively low magnification number because they will help you to focus more as you will get a better vision. Binoculars with higher magnification might give you a larger view but you will get a much smaller vision.

Binoculars with glass lenses, even if they are a little expensive, are much better, in terms of image quality, than the ones with plastic lenses. But, plastic lenses are more durable.

Roof-prism binoculars are generally more preferred than the porro-prism ones because the roof-prism ones are more compact and are generally of superior quality.

Now that you have a basic idea about the factors needed to buy binoculars, let us know more about the best binoculars for bird-watching!

1. Nikon Aculon A30 10×25

Nikon Aculon A30 10×25 Binoculars are considered to be one of the best binoculars for bird-watching for a reason. First of all, they weigh less than 10 ounces which make them extremely compact and comfortable to carry. They are also designed in such a way that they are easy to hold. Secondly, the lenses are multi-coated and because of their 25mm size, your range of viewing will be high and you will get vivid images as well. Also, their magnification number is 10, which will allow you to view the objects 10 times their normal size, and it makes them perfect for bird-watching.

2. BNISE 10×42 HD

Like the Nikon Aculon ones, these binoculars have 10x magnification which would let the users see every image 10 times closer and bigger. The diameter of the lens is 42mm which gives you bright and clear viewing of the images and they have a 303-foot field of view. They are also fully multi-coated and have a rubbered armor housing which makes them very durable. These binoculars are lightweight, hence very easy to carry and hold. Also, a smartphone adapter comes with them, which allows you to take pictures by using the eyecup lens.

3. Avalon 8×32 Mini HD

As the name suggests, these binoculars are very compact and are ideal for carrying with you on tours. They weigh just 416 grams and fit perfectly in a small bag or even in your jacket pocket. They are waterproof and come with multi-coated lenses which produce high definition images. They are undoubtedly one of the best mini binoculars available for bird-watching.

4. Bushnell Legend Ultra HD 10×42

Bushnell Legend Ultra HD 10×42 binoculars have 10x magnification and the diameter of their lens is 42mm. These are the best binoculars for viewing and analysing birds from a long distance. They are waterproof and fog proof. The lenses come with a water repellent coating and an anti-reflective coating which delivers high definition images. They weigh only 22.5 ounces and are comfortable to carry along. They come with a microfiber carry bag, a carrying case, and a neck strap. For people with glasses, they also have a 17.2 mm eye-relief which can be adjusted as per their convenience.

5. RSPB HD 8×42

The RSPB HD 8×42 binoculars are the best binoculars for using in low light settings. They are waterproof as well as fog-proof because of being nitrogen-filled. They are also lightweight and easy to hold with the TPU body armour. They come with an RSPB cleaning cloth and a padded case.

6. Zeiss Terra ED Pocket 8×25

These binoculars are absolutely suitable for carrying with you while travelling long distances. They weight just 310 grams and have a folding design, which makes them extremely compact. Although you cannot use them for marine and astronomy, they come in handy for activities like bird-watching and nature observation. They have 8x magnification and a 357-foot field of view.